COVID-19 and Omicron in Manitoba

 It has been an unusual week.  On Wednesday new headlines highlighted the fact that modelling by the Canadian military suggests "as many as 41 per cent of Winnipeggers might have active COBID-19."   This was and is an extraordinary high proportion.  Not only have case numbers been very high this week, but the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 has gone up reaching 517 individuals in hospital in Manitoba with COVID-19 infections, and 45 individuals in ICUs in Manitoba with COVID-19.   Of the 517 individuals hospitalized with COVID, 36 are no longer infectious but are still in hospital.  Of the 45 individuals in ICUs, 2 are no longer infectious.  These numbers are very high and very concerning.  The Premier should have provided a clear plan as to what the province will do if the numbers continue to rise. She did not. Manitobans, including doctors and nurses, are being kept in the dark as to any plans. ICUs n other provinces are full at the moment so transfers to other provinces are not so likely as earlier in the pandemic when the ICU capacity was exceeded and many ICU patients were transferred to other provinces.   Instead of providing a plan the Premier, on Wednesday said it is "up to Manitobans to look after themselves". Specifically the Premier said "Manitobans need to look after themselves.  The government can't protect everyone out there."  Manitobans are left waiting.  The government should have done better.  Indeed, many Manitobans are losing confidence in a Premier who faces a crisis and does not present a plan to get through it.